Author: Rémy Cortin Photographer, August 2024

Summer 1982, a young French photographer of 23 years old, moved by my adventurous and curious energy, I decided to go for a reportage in England, in order to cover an event that I called at that time the 'Olympic Games of the Disabled' in Aylesbury, Bucks. I will learn later that it is there that the 'Paralympic Games' sprang, in 48, after the war and under the impetus of Dr Guttmann ... Long story very well told on this site. 

Without serious administrative preparations, professional but very rudimentary photo material in hand, without official support, but with a boldness still admissible at this less safe time, I therefore present myself against all expectations, smiling and cheerful, (with a tent and a duvet I believe, in case ... ) at the press office of the Stoke Mandeville Stadium. I will be greeted with incredible kindness and simplicity by the assistant to the then president of the International Stoke Mandeville Games (ISMG), who was in charge of everything two days before the opening, and there were a lot of things to do! Volunteer for many I think. 

Not having found in the late afternoon a hotel close and available, I will even be accommodated so nicely by this young woman, her companion and their baby, for the duration of these Games! The report began as in a dream…  

I also remember the Joe Jackson great concert during these Games. It is therefore in a total immersion, obviously new on the emotional and professional levels, that I will be accepted by all participants, organisers or athletes. Track and field, gym, rooms, corridors, athletes' restaurant, dance party marquee, etc... everywhere. I will have the freedom to take these photos, calmly and in very small quantities: about ten films of 36 black and white poses only. Compared to what is practiced today, it is anecdotal.

Far from any voyeurism or pathetism that had no place in this event, during which I discovered another normality, marked by a relational and sporting intensity well away from my Parisian life. I keep in memory extraordinary moments of victories or failures, disturbing falls or laughter, which I have not really photographed, sometimes just remaining a spectator and witness, finally contenting myself to realise a kind of descriptive, a little candid and sober of this universe with the colours 'performances AND humanity'.

'Children playing in the sandbox' of the long jump reception, being one of my favourite photographs because its always a funny shift between children and the rest of the world ... it’s so simple. What a week! Back to Paris, with two more English friends, received later for another shared and epic stay at my place. Unfortunately lost sight of these forty years, having a little shamefully forgotten their names, if they read this it will be great ... their son is around 40 years old ...

Young, guilty a little to have 'taken advantage' of a moving subject to make my first weapons in the profession of photo-reporter, my images remained tidy for many years. Today more mature and at the time when these Games are taking place in France, I obviously had time to understand that information was very important for the advancement of mentalities, and they have fortunately advanced without my help.

And as my childhood friend wrote to open my Paris exhibition this month of August 2024:

these images without ostentation, illuminate the soil of effort and love, which allowed these athletes to grow and be able to exceed their limits, to go for the most beautiful medals, those that, far from the podiums and national hymns, one awards oneself ... 

Life is beautiful!

Visit Rémy Cortin Photographe website

During the Paris 2024 Paralympics you can visit Rémy's photography exhibition displaying the images taken at the 1982 International Stoke Mandeville Games. More of Rémy's photos can be found below. Please get in contact if you recognise any of the athletes, you can contact us at: [email protected] 

 

Image © Rémy Cortin Photographe